Pakistan acquiring Z–10ME from China.

Pakistan has begun accepting Z-10ME attack helicopters from China as part of Islamabad’s tactical rotary-wing fleet modernization effort. Although both the countries have not revealed the details of the delivery, however, verified sources, including images and videos showing the Chinese-made aircraft bearing Pakistan Army insignia.

It is worth noting that Pakistan has been looking to upgrade its aging fleet of American-made AH-1F Cobra helicopters, which have been in use since the 1980s. In response, the US agreed in 2015 to sell newer AH-1Z Vipers to the country, but the deal was put on hold due to strained relations between Washington and Islamabad. This opened the door for China to offer the export variant of its homegrown Z-10 as an alternative, giving Beijing a chance to step in where the US pulled back.

It is mention worthy that the People’s Liberation Army of China has deployed around 200 of the helicopters.

The Z-10ME System –

Developed by China’s state-owned Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation, the Z-10 is a medium-weight attack helicopter designed for anti-tank operations and limited air-to-air combat. It has a length of 14 meters (46 feet), a rotor diameter of 13 meters (43 feet), and is powered by twin WZ-9C turboshaft engines with about 1,600 horsepower each. ME refers to the export oriented unit.

Users can arm the system with a revolving cannon, guided and unguided bombs, multi-domain missiles, and loitering munitions. The Z-10 has an operational altitude of 6,400 meters (20,997 feet), a top speed of 160 knots (296 kilometers/184 miles per hour), and a range of 430 nautical miles (796 kilometers/495 miles).

A configuration of Z-10ME first observed in 2021 as the second prototype named Z-10ME-02. It was showcased internationally at 2024 Singapore Airshow. The new variant improved low-altitude flight performance and has a different avionics layout around the fuselage.[20] The new electronics warfare system consists of several multi-purpose active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar panels, capable of passive signal detection, target searching, missile approach warning, and active jamming.

It’s also fitted with an over-the-rotor mast-mounted Yu Huo millimeter wave fire control radar to detect long-range targets. Beside radars, the Z-10ME-02 features an integrated electro-optical (EO) countermeasure system with new detection sensors (replacing the previous laser / infrared / ultraviolet warning alarms) and new active directional infrared countermeasure systems (DIRCM) to counter against infrared homing (IR) missiles. All radar and EO sensors on Z-10ME-02 are interconnected to provide comprehensive situation awareness and operational flexibility.

Team Maverick